English Second Language (AS)·2 · Writing Skills · NSSCAS 5.2.1

Writing for audience & purpose: choosing your register

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Before you write a single word, decide your Purpose, Audience, Form and Tone — then pick the register (level of formality) that fits. Learn to keep it consistent so you never lose W3 marks for a slip into slang.

What you'll learn in this lesson

By the end you should be able to (NSSCAS English Second Language (AS) 5.2.1):

  • Learners should be able to plan any piece of writing using PAFT — Purpose, Audience, Form and Tone.
  • Learners should be able to explain what register means and name the three broad levels: formal, neutral and informal.
  • Learners should be able to show how the audience shapes vocabulary, sentence length, contractions, slang and jargon.
  • Learners should be able to write the same message in a formal and an informal register.
  • Learners should be able to match the right register to a given task and audience.
  • Learners should be able to keep register consistent and spot a 'register slip' into the wrong level.
  • Learners should be able to explain why the wrong register costs marks under W3 — effective language for audience and purpose.
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Writing for audience & purpose: choosing your register · NSSCAS English Second Language (AS) · namstudy